The effect of lanthanum (La)+cerium (Ce) addition on the high-temperature strength of an aluminum (Al)–silicon (Si)–copper (Cu)–magnesium (Mg)–iron (Fe)–manganese (Mn) alloy was investigated. A great number of plate-like intermetallics, Al11(Ce, La)3- and blocky α-Al15(Fe, Mn)3Si2-precipitates, were observed. The results showed that the high-temperature mechanical properties depended strongly on the amount and morphology of the intermetallic phases formed. The precipitated tiny Al11(Ce, La)3 and α-Al15(Fe, Mn)3Si2 both contributed to the high-temperature mechanical properties, especially at 300 °C and 400 °C. The formation of coarse plate-like Al11(Ce, La)3, at the highest (Ce-La) additions, reduced the mechanical properties at (≤300) ℃ and improved the properties at 400 ℃. Analysis of the strengthening mechanisms revealed that the load-bearing mechanism was the main contributing mechanism with no contribution from thermal-expansion mismatch effects. Strain hardening had a minor contribution to the tensile strength at high-temperature.

Squeeze casting is a process that can produce the highest quality castings. In the current study, the effect of the process settings and the in-die conditions on rejection rates is studied through a full-scale experimental study. Factors affecting the as-cast part quality were investigated in the current study from two different viewpoints. The first part of the study was to investigate the influence of the process settings on the part rejection rate, and the second was to understand the conditions in the die and the effects on the part rejection rate to understand better the reasons and sensitivity of the squeeze casting process.

Aluminum alloys are today entirely recyclable and are seen as a sustainable material. However, there are limitations in the use of aluminum from material strength and cost perspective. Nickel, copper and rare earth metals are alloying elements that may provide strength at room and elevated temperatures. These are, however, often seen as harmful from a sustainability viewpoint. Additionally, these alloying elements are commonly costly. The current paper makes an analysis of the sustainability–strength dimension of alloying, together with a cost perspective, to guide alloy producers and alloy users in making an educated choice of direction for future materials and material development.

Road transport and the associated fuel consumption plays a primary role in emissions. Weight reduction is critical to reaching the targeted reduction of 34% in 2025. Weight reduction in moving parts, such as pistons and brake disc rotors, provide a high-impact route to achieve this goal. The current study aims to investigate the formability of Al–Si alloys reinforced with different fractions and different sizes of SiCp to create an efficient and lightweight Al-MMC brake disk. Lanthanum (La) and cerium (Ce) were added to strengthen the aluminium matrix alloy and to improve the capability of the Al-MMC brake discs to withstand elevated temperature conditions, such as more extended braking periods. La and Ce formed intermetallic phases that further strengthened the composite. The analysis showed the processability and thermal stability of the different material’s combinations: increased particle sizes and broader size range mixture supported the formation of the SiCp particle interactions, acting as an internal scaffolding. In conclusion, the additions of Ce and La strengthened the softer matrix regions and resulted in a doubled compression peak strength of the material without affecting the formability, as demonstrated by the processing maps.

The use of silicon carbide particles (SiCp) as reinforcement in aluminium (Al)-based composites (Al/SiCp) can offer high hardness and high stiffness. The rare-earth elements like lanthanum (La) and cerium (Ce) and transition metals like nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) were added into the matrix to form intermetallic phases; this is one way to improve the mechanical property of the composite at elevated temperatures. The α-Al15(Fe,Mn)3Si2, Al20(La,Ce)Ti2, and Al11(La,Ce)3, π-Al8FeMg3Si6 phases are formed. Nanoindentation was employed to measure the hardness and elastic modulus of the phases formed in the composite alloys. The rule of mixture was used to predict the modulus of the matrix alloys. The Halpin–Tsai model was applied to calculate the elastic modulus of the particle-reinforced composites. The transition metals (Ni and Cu) and rare-earth elements (La and Ce) determined a 5–15% increase of the elastic modulus of the matrix alloy. The SiC particles increased the elastic modulus of the matrix alloy by 10–15% in composite materials.